proton pump

noun

: a molecular mechanism that transports hydrogen ions across cell membranes

The physiological essence of the proton pump is to exchange extracellular K⁺ for intracellular H⁺.

—John E. Hoover, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st edition

Chemical gradients have been used to create asymmetry in the environment, as in the case of proton pumps to couple chemical energy with molecular motion.

—Jay Siegel, Science

called also acid pump